Birds of prey and reptile handling event comes to Aberdare

Businessman Lewis Phillips will host the free event for local people at his shop on Saturday, August 16

An Aberdare business-owner, photographer and wildlife conservation enthusiast will welcome members of the local community to his shop for an animal handling event.

Lewis Phillips, who opened Lewis Phillips Images at 14 Duke Street last month, will offer local people the chance to handle birds of prey and reptiles in a special event outside the shop in Aberdare town centre.

The event – which takes place on Saturday, August 16, from 11am to 4pm – will also serve as an education day about the conservation of animals, which is a subject close to Mr Phillips’ heart alongside his occupation as a professional landscape and wildlife photographer.

The shop owner also says he wants to attend local schools in the future in order to give demonstrations for the children, who will also able to have their yearly school photo taken with an owl or a reptile.

Mr Phillips, who is currently writing a book about the conservation of vultures, said: “The event will take place outside of the shop – weather permitting – on the corner of Duke Street and Market Street.

“There will be a safe, cordoned-off area where the reptile and bird handlers will be based. People will be able to handle the animals completely free of charge.

“We are also offering people to be photographed in the shop studio with the animals, but they will have to pay for this.

“It is a day for everyone, especially children, but unfortunately no one under the age of five can get involved due to insurance and animal welfare.”

Lewis Phillips Images showcases work from around the world and offers full studio portrait sittings, while Mr Phillips also hopes to hold key skills workshops for people in Aberdare who are out of work.

For more information online, visit www.ljimages.co.uk or the Lewis Phillips Images Facebook page.

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